The predecessor of "Hanseong Art Workshop" established in 1908 by the Great Korean Empire for the purpose of producing traditional art works for the royal household.
In 1911, a year after the Japanese Annexation of Korea, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Government-General of Korea, changing its name to "Yiwangjik Art Workshop".
It was located close to Gwanghwamun-dori, a flourishing area in Gyeongseong (Japanese: Keijo, present-day Seoul). The workshop seems to had been producing a wide range of articles,
from high-grade luxury products to low-prices goods.
An inlaid box (left) and a bronze vase (right) from the Yiwangjik workshop. Full images: [box], [vase].
In 1922, the workshop turned itself into "Joseon Art Workshop, Ltd.", producing various goods such as "gold, silver and bronze
vessels, lacquer ware with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration and Goryeo-style porcelain", although it is said that it was shut down around 1937 due to financial difficulties.